Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on the General Allocation Model at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46110/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Since September 2012 the combined resources available for learning support (General Allocation Model) and language support have been merged into a single simplified allocation process. There are currently over 4,700 such posts at an annual cost of circa €282 million allocated to primary schools. This expenditure includes the standard learning support/language support allocation that is given to all schools and the additional support that is provided to schools that have high concentrations of pupils that require language support. The need to reform the allocation of the General Allocation Model arose because the existing system operated primarily on the basis of 2003 enrolments which are long out of date and had been criticised by the Ombudsman for Children. Schools now have autonomy on how to deploy the resource between language support and learning support depending on their specific needs. The new single allocation for the General Allocation Model (GAM) and language support is based on the number of classroom teaching posts in each school in the previous school year. This simplified approach to (GAM) will make it easier to automatically update it annually in line with the changes in the number of classroom teachers in each school.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total budget special needs education this year and for each year over the past five years. [46111/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that this Government remains committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.3 billion – was spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in 2011. The equivalent spends for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are €838m, €900m, €1bn and €1.2bn respectively. The provision for the current year is in line with expenditure last year and shows that despite the current economic difficulties, the overall level of funding for special education has not been cut.

- Approximately 9,950 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation Model, are also being provided in primary & post primary schools in order to provide additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs.

- Over 1,100 teachers are also being provided for in special schools providing teaching to pupils with various disabilities at much reduced pupil: teacher ratios, for example the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning disability PTR is 8:1.

- Enhanced levels of school capitation are payable to most special schools and special classes and special School Transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities are provided at a cost of over €60m per year.

- Approximately €1.3m is also provided annually to schools for assistive technology support.

- Early educational intervention is provided for children with autism from 2½ years of age. There are now 76 early intervention classes for children with autism attached to mainstream schools that are funded by the Department. Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with autism aged from 2 ½ years to 5 who are unable to access an early intervention class.

- An extended school year is also currently available for pupils who have either a severe/profound general learning disability or who have autism.

The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas has ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements.

Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that it is my intention that resources available to my Department are utilised to optimum benefit to ensure the best possible outcomes for students with special educational needs. In this regard my Department is seeking advice from the NCSE on policy options for the allocation of these resources in future, with a view to ensuring that the most appropriate and efficient model is in place in the coming years.